Chemical Formula:

C5H7O4COONa

Molecular Weight:

216

What is Sodium Alginate and What Does It Do?:

It is used in indigestion tablets and the preparation of dental impressions. Sodium alginate has no discernible flavor.
It is used by the food industry to increase viscosity and as an emulsifier. Sodium Alginate is pure kelp.
Another name for Sodium Alginate is Chondroitin Sulfate. Sodium is also used as a food thickener for foods like ice cream and fruit filled snacks and also coffee.
Its form as a gum, when extracted from the cell walls of brown algae.
This chemical is a chemical compound of sodium salt and alginic acid.

Picture One:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_alginate

Health:

Sodium alginate is a good chelator for pulling radioactive toxins such as iodine-131 and strontium-90 from the body which have taken the place of their non-radioactive counterparts. It binds things like lead and mercury to get them out of your system. It is mostly directed to your circulatory system.

Foods:

Sirloin Steak
Ramen Noddles
Clam Chowder Soup

Picture Two:

http://www.zhongdaseaweed.com/images/jianjie.gif

Citations:

http://www.righthealth.com/Health/sodium_alginate/-od-definition_wiki_Sodium_alginate-s
Dejá Scarborough